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AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorsRobin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
Estimating the term…
An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism. This mechanism transports the containers to a derived nest location upon the storage means, such as a carousel or to one of the stationary addresses.
An automated storage and retrieval apparatus for storing containers at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
An automated storage and retrieval apparatus for storing containers at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
An automated storage and retrieval apparatus for storing containers at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
A method for automatically depositing and storing containers in a freezer compartment at ultra low temperatures, said method comprising:
A method for automatically storing and retrieving containers in a freezer compartment at ultra low temperatures, said method comprising:
The method of 32, wherein said presenting the container comprises ejecting the container to the exterior for pickup.
A method for automatically depositing and storing containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
A method for automatically storing and retrieving containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
A method for automatically depositing and storing containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
A method for automatically storing and retrieving containers in a freezer compartment of an automated apparatus at ultra low temperatures, said apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations: having reaction cells in the…
Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices: for cryogenic fluid systems
Problems to be solved: damage
Term end not estimated
This invention relates to an automated storage and retrieval apparatus for ultra low temperature freezers, and more particularly an apparatus that improves the overall quality of the climate associated with storing items therein.
Advancements in biotechnology and medical science require the analysis of ever-increasing numbers of various biological samples. Many biological samples must be stored at below-freezing temperatures in order to preserve them for future reference, analysis, or use. For example, DNA, RNA, cells and protein samples, as well as the reagents necessary for conducting various analyses of these samples, must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures to prevent degradation that would interfere with reliable analyses of the biological products.
Storage below −80° C. is generally required for successful preservation of biomolecules, cells, and tissue (morphology and viability) for extended periods of time. However, shelf life and the ability to recover living cells are dramatically improved at about −196° C. (−196° C. being the boiling point of liquid nitrogen). The National Institute of Standards and Technology has suggested that the term cryogenics be applied to all temperatures below −150° C. (−238° F. or 123° above absolute zero on the Kelvin scale). Some scientists regard the normal boiling point of oxygen (−183° C. or −297° F.), as the upper limit. The term ultra low temperature is probably not officially recognized by any standards body. However, it is generally agreed that a freezer refers to a storage device that operates from about −5° C. to −20° C., an ultra low operates from about −50° C. to about −90° C., and a cryogenic freezer operates from about −140° C. to −196° C.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of the automated storage and retrieval apparatus.
FIG. 2A shows a schematic perspective view of the automated storage and retrieval apparatus.
Turning now to the drawings, the present invention is schematically shown in the plan view of FIG. 1 and perspective view of FIG. 2A, which includes an automated storage and retrieval apparatus 1 having one or more storage carousels 20 disposed in a freezer compartment 10, with one or more optional stationary racks 26, 27, an interchange mechanism 40, and a climate controlled chamber 60 that is generally disposed on a wall 11 of the freezer compartment 10 or associated housing 2. A central control system 80 is coupled to the storage carousel 20, interchange mechanism 40, and climate controlled chamber 60 for controlling their operations. Generally, the control system 80 controls the operation of the apparatus so that the containers can be loaded from the exterior into the climate-controlled chamber 60 for retrieval by the interchange mechanism 40 for insertion onto the carousel 20 in the freezer compartment 10. Stored containers subsequently can be retrieved from the carousel 20 by the interchange mechanism 40 and available to be taken away to the exterior through the climate controlled chamber 60.
FIG. 2B shows a perspective partial view of the wall 11 of the compartment and/or door of the housing. Mounted on the wall 11 are the climate-controlled chamber 60 and a touch screen interface 82. As will be discussed later, it is envisioned that a control system and computer system can be accessed directly by using the touch screen interface 82 and/or remotely by a stand-alone personal computer or with a local area network (LAN).
Next, details of the climate controlled chamber 60 will be provided, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B. A particularly desirable feature is that the climate-controlled chamber 60 prevents ambient, humid air from entering the interior of freezer compartment 10 during storage container insertion and retrieval. The Chamber 60 has an interior door 61 to allow communication between freezer compartment 10 and chamber 60, and an exterior door 62 to allow communication between the exterior environment (or adjacent area)and chamber 60. The chamber 60 has a climate control system 66 that provides an air purging capability to cool and dehumidify the air in the chamber 60 before interior door 61 is opened. A scanning reader device 65, preferably a barcode reader, is situated in the chamber 60 to identify storage containers as they are inserted into and retrieved from chamber 60. Information relative to the storage containers is transmitted from reader device 65 to central and/or remote processor.